Local election polls are open June 6

The political fate of several individuals will be decided by voters in local polling places Tuesday, June 6.

There are people in Clay County who hope to one day lead the city of Vermillion or serve on its city council.

Others are interested in holding an office with the Clay County Commission.

There are regional candidates who hope to serve the people of District 17, which consists of Clay County and a portion of Turner County, in the South Dakota Legislature.

And, for several months now, two men have been campaigning hard statewide, hoping to capture the Democratic gubernatorial nomination.

City election

In the Southeast Ward, Vermillion voters will choose between incumbent Ray Hofman and challenger Judy Clark for a four-year term on the city council.

Three men are seeking a four-year term as the city's mayor. Incumbent Dan Christopherson is being challenged by Brian Fagnan and James A. Johnson.

Clay County Commission

A Republican primary election won't be necessary for county commission. Only one Republican, incumbent Gerald Sommervold, filed nominating petitions.

A Democratic primary election is needed June 6 for voters to select two of four Democrats running for county commission. Nominating petitions have been filed by Leslie Kephart, Fred Balleweg, Alex Ufford and Robert Kyte.

S.D. Legislature

No June primary election is needed for District 17 House or District 17 Senate.

Democrats Patricia Norin, Centerville, and Eldon Nygaard, Vermillion, have filed nominating petitions for the district's two House seats. Incumbent Republican Representatives Jamie Boomgarden, Chancellor, and Donna Schafer, Vermillion, are seeking re-election.

Republican Nathan Adams and incumbent Democrat Ben Nesselhuf, both of Vermillion, have filed petitions for District 17 Senate.

Democrats also will vote for one of two candidates seeking their party's gubernatorial nomination: Jack Billion of Sioux Falls, and Dennis Wiese, Flandreau.

County offices

Several elected county officials are facing no opposition in Tuesday's primary election. Register of Deeds Betty McCambridge, Auditor Ruth Bremer and Sheriff Andy Howe are all automatically nominated for election to another term in their respective offices.

Polling places

Polls for the primary election and Vermillion municipal election will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. June 6.

The polling places in each precinct of the county are:

• Rural Ward 1 (includes Pleasant Valley, Garfield, Glenwood, and Riverside townships): Southeastern SD Experiment Farm, 29974 University Road.
• Rural Ward 2 (includes Star and Bethel townships and Wakonda town: Senior Citizens Center, Wakonda.
• Rural Ward 3 (includes Prairie Center, Spirit Mound, Meckling, Norway, Vermillion, and Fairview townships: 4-H Center/Fairgrounds, 515 High St., Vermillion.
• Irene Town: Communinity Center, Irene.
• Vermillion City, All Precincts: National Guard Armory, 603 Princeton St., Vermillion.